HAVERHILL — Families throughout the city enjoyed the "sole" of the season yesterday as thousands of people turned out for the 45th annual VFW Santa Parade.
Although it was overcast and windy, the afternoon chill didn't stop the crowd from enjoying the firetrucks, marching bands and more than two dozen floats along the parade route.
As hundreds of children squealed with excitement as they saw Santa, 4-year-old Ryan Wentworth hoped to discuss business with the big, jolly man in the red suit. But Ryan's shouts couldn't be heard in the noisy crowd.
"Hey Santa, what are you going to get me for Christmas?" he attempted to ask.
There was a common theme as a bevy of boots, shoes, sneakers and heels became a part of every float in recognition of Haverhill as the "Shoe City" of the Merrimack Valley.
In addition, some floats featured scenes from "The Wizard of Oz" and Whoville from Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" There was even a smoking locomotive.
With more than two dozen floats, parade-goers were hard pressed to find a single float that didn't require hours of labor to create. Three received first-place honors from the judges.
The winners of the school, business and individual first-place awards were Sacred Hearts School, Cedardale Health and Fitness Club, and Crescent Yacht Club, respectively.
Despite the jubilation, there were some rather somber displays as well.
Volunteers with the Betsy Conte Memorial Food Drive collected items from parade-goers to donate to local shelters. Members of the Haverhill Veterans of Foreign Wars post sought donations to help collect enough money to cover the parade's $30,000 cost.
Asa Beckwith Sr., a World War II veteran and member of AMVETS Post 147, marched for reasons other than just spreading holiday cheer.
"For all the veterans that have gone before he me," he said.
The parade began about 1 p.m. at the Bradford fire station and ended approximately 4 p.m. at VFW Post 29 on Kenoza Avenue.
